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Deborah is a writer and champion of books. She is an independent reader/reviewer, uncompensated for major and minor publishers. With degrees in Fine Arts, ArtHistory/MuseumStudies and English Lit., her interests are eclectic, as are her reading preferences. Surrounding herself with books,artworks, assorted papergoods and a collection of pens, she reads constantly, writes reviews...writes and writes!View Full Profile

Sunday, February 3, 2013

This is a very strangely placed picture of my haul this week, which was a bit weak, I think. Didn't get the ordinary heavy stack of books, but I'm not complaining since there's plenty of good stuff here for me to plough through.

And here's another view which was less satisfying to me, but which will give you a peek inside of the mess of some of the books I have stacked on my library table behind the sofa, and a corner of one of my bookcases. Sigh.... My son and daughter-in-law (who are both sticklers for the no clutter policy are going to die!) are coming to visit with my grandchildren in a couple of weeks. I'll never get this gaggle of books (clutter) cut down in size.

When I was younger, I had this wish that someday I would have a house with a living room that looked like a Dickens library or an absent-minded professor's office. I wanted clutters of gorgeous books stacked upon books, beautiful and different papers and journals, lots of pens and pencils of exotic types to choose from. An assortment of oddities and collectibles...

Now that I'm older, I've achieved it. I'm shocked that I have, actually. And, suddenly, I'm a little embarrassed because all of my neighbors and friends have these nicely decorated and stream-lined living spaces with very few of the things I have. They aren't bookish, and they aren't artists and writers. So, I feel odd. I am odd, I suppose. But, I really feel it.

I often feel I need to make excuses about my house because of it, yet when I'm home, I love it. When I'm away from home, I miss it and am happy to come back and sink into my chair that's surrounded by bookish things with a view of bookish things.

I live with the guilt of this clutter because I'm so happy most of the time!! Can you help me here????

Do you know much about me as a person? I knit, quilt, paint and make jewelry as well... And, I'm a grandmother of 7. :] I'm just learning to play a card game so I can get out with friends once a week, and I do Tai Chi every other day with friends.

So...on to the books in the box!!

A petite snippet:

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Oh, yes, a view of Dr. Moreau from his poor daughter's perspective? I was all over this book. Had to have it and ordered it myself. Can't wait to start this one... If you haven't read it "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a good, classical read to preview this one.

Small synopsis

The setting is Tonkin (northern Vietnam) at the turn of the 20th century. A boy, Tai, witnesses the beheading of his father, a notorious bandit, and sets out to recover his head and then to find the man who betrayed his father to the authorities. On this quest, Tai's entire world will shift. FLESH takes the reader into dark and delightful places in the human condition, places where allies are not always your friends, true love hurts, and your worst enemy may bring you the most comfort.

When I was approached to read this one, I had to stand back a minute. It's nothing like I'm used to reading, but it drew me in because of the Vietnam element. Having been a child of the '60's and the Vietnam situation, I've always wanted to read more about it from a cultural but personalized perspective. A fictitious account seemed a perfect opportunity.

I'm curious about this one for many reasons. We'll have to see...

I've started it, and the author is quite good!

A Summary of Sorts:

A NOVEL OF MYSTERY, VIDEOGAMES, AND THE PEOPLE WHO CREATE THEM, BY THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SOON I WILL BE INVINCIBLE.

When Russell joins Black Arts games, brainchild of two visionary designers who were once his closest friends, he reunites with an eccentric crew of nerds hacking the frontiers of both technology and entertainment.

This has got to be my wackiest Weekly Haul in a long time! I love this strange little book! Not my usual fare, but I read a bit of it and it's so well written and just snagged me into wanting to continue reading. It's a sort of mystery, as well. Love it! I'll be reviewing it soon. From my great friends at Mulholland Books. Thanks, Mulholland!

Snapshot summary:

Raised in Chicago's Latino working class community during the Sixties, Alicia Barron uncovers her mother's Caucasian roots when she inherits a time-worn mansion, the remnant of the estate of a Chicago industrialist who, she discovers, is her grandfather. Her search of the house takes her into the lives of past generations of women whose love carried them across forbidden boundaries, and into the conflict of class, nationality, and race that is the history of the city itself.

Interesting to read about this segment of Chicago's history. I'm very unfamiliar. It sounds like a good story, and it's about women and their history which hits two of my favorite subjects. Looking forward to finding out more about this one. Thanks to Judith for the book!

Summary:

In 1972, professional dancer Joan Wulfsohn underwent a double mastectomy. And
her soon-to-be-ex-husband abducted their three children and spirited them away
to a foreign country. “I should have died,” Joan writes. But she didn’t.
Stalking Carlos Castaneda chronicles her journey back to life by way of lessons
learned from stunning transvestites and music hall dancers, teen porn stars, a
brain damaged boy, Eastern holy men, Western supermodels and a certain aging
sorcerer. It is the story of how one woman learned to live a magical life—bound
not by spells and hexes but rather filled with wonder and transcendence.

Seriously, can you resist this book!?? I couldn't. Sorry for the Amazon cover image, I couldn't find a better close up of it. It's gotten 5 stars on Amazon. Robert Duvall gave a foreword on the book that was stellar. This one is a real reach for me, but I'm trying to work outside my comfort zone... :]

We'll see what happens!

Many thanks to Water Street Press Books for this opportunity!

now on to my fabulous Macmillian Audio Books!! Yay!!

Such a small bit of a summary!

How can you prove you're not an alcoholic?

You can’t.

It's like trying to prove you're not a witch.

Hildy Good is a townie. A lifelong resident of an historic community on the rocky coast of Boston’s North Shore, she knows pretty much everything about everyone. Hildy is a descendant of one of the witches hung in nearby Salem, and is believed, by some, to have inherited psychic gifts. Not true, of course; she’s just good at reading people. Hildy is good at lots of things...

Love love love!!!I've already started this one and it's so hilarious I can't wait to write a review for you on it. Hildy is the perfect snooty, smart New England character. I love her!

Summary:

From the award-winning novelist and writer of Upstairs Downstairs, the launch of a brilliant new trilogy about what life was really like for masters and servants before the world ofDownton Abbey

As the Season of 1899 comes to an end, the world is poised on the brink of profound, irrevocable change. The Earl of Dilberne is facing serious financial concerns. The ripple effects spread to everyone in the household: Lord Robert, who has gambled unwisely on the stock market and seeks a place in the Cabinet; his unmarried children, Arthur, who keeps a courtesan, and Rosina, who keeps a parrot in her bedroom; Lord Robert’s wife Isobel, who orders the affairs of the household in Belgrave Square; and Grace, the lady’s maid who orders the life of her mistress.

Can't wait to listen to this one. I'm getting lots of knitting done while I listen to these new audio books, which I must say are exceptional from Macmillian. They choose exemplary narrators. I think that makes all the difference. More on this later... And, that's all from me today with what came in the mail or that I purchased for my library this week. What did you get? Are you particularly interested in anything new in audio???Send me a note via comments, I'd love to hear what you're thinking.Deb/TheBookishDame